As a young person, this year always seemed so futuristic.
I kind of never thought I'd get here and so far I'm not too excited about it.
Every other January 1st prior to this year, I have been excited about the new year. It always seemed like new beginning, new opportunities. This year it's almost as if I am apprehensive about what is coming.
Recently, I concluded a Bible study on the book of Daniel. Daniel is one of few people in the Bible who God does not list a short coming. Oh, it's not like he was without sin, because the Bible says that no one is without sin except Jesus. God just never records any shortcomings, such as anger issues, lying tendencies, or women problems. An angel actually told Daniel that "he was greatly loved by God."
When studying Daniel, I discovered that he was very young when he got captured and taken to Babylon. He was probably a teenager, but the Bible records that Daniel set his heart on GOD. He decided not to defile himself and was a man devoted to studying the Word of God and prayer. Daniel honored God in body, mind, and spirit and in turn God gave him favor in the eyes of those in authority, He gave him wisdom and the gift of interpreting dreams, and Daniel received visions, dreams, and revelations of future events.
When Daniel was in his 80s, he was studying the book of Jeremiah and he realized and understood that the time of Israel's captivity (70 years) was almost over. He went into a time of fervent prayer and fasting and seeking the LORD because he wanted to understand what the future held for himself and his nation. He fasted for 21 days. After 21 days, Gabriel, the angel, appeared to him and told him that a demonic angel had battled with him attempting to thwart his mission to come to Daniel and answer his prayer. But Gabriel, with Michael the archangel, he was victorious and came to Daniel and revealed to Daniel the future prophetic events that would be transpiring for Israel. Gabriel, the angel, revealed 490 years of prophecy to Daniel. Many Christians have gone on Daniel's Fast to draw closer to the LORD and seek wisdom, guidance, healiang, and revelation.
My family has decided to do the Daniel Fast starting January 1, 2020, because we are facing some big family decisions and we need wisdom and a spiritual breakthough. We want to make our decisions based on God's will. Also, like Daniel was concerned about the future of his nation, Israel, and his people, and felt burdened to fast and pray for them, so I am entering this new year and decade burdened for my nation and people.
I think the LORD is calling the remnant of His church to be Daniels in these last days. God's Word says, "The eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart are loyal to Him." (2 Chronicles 16:9) God wants to show up in our lives and show Himself strong, to send messenger angels to give us our answer to prayer, and to give us dreams and visions, and deeper revelation of His Word. He is searching throughout the whole world for hearts that are loyal to Him.
In Daniel 10:12-13, Gabriel tells Daniel, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, you words were heard, and I have come because of your words." However, demonic forces were keeping Gabriel from coming for 21 days. Daniel fasted and prayed for 21 days, allowing Gabriel to break free and bring God's message. I feel like that is a message for me too. "Yolanda, don't fear, what is to come in 2020. For the first day you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard." I have set me heart to understand the Word and fasting is all about humility before our God. God's Word says we do not battle flesh and blood but demonic forces in the spiritual realm. So, if we are feeling weak, fearful, fatigued, anxious, it is a spiritual battle raging. But, God has promised to show up and make Himself strong on our behalf.
So, for the next 21 days, I'm keeping my heart, mind, and spirit focused on Jesus and I am praying for God to show Himself strong and to strengthen me. I'm not sure what trials or triumphs are coming in 2020 but I know who will be there with me to face them all.
Are you looking for a spiritual breakthrough this year? Why not do what Daniel did? Set your heart to understand, and humble yourself before God. His eyes are roaming the whole earth searching for someone just like you.
Love,
Yolanda
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